Many business households proactively deploy and adapt
The regulation on using electronic invoices from cash registers has caused many business households to enter a period of major transformation, requiring adaptation in both technology and management thinking.
At a pharmacy on Vong Thi Street (Tay Ho, Hanoi), Ms. Thu Huyen, a pharmacy employee, said that the pharmacy has soon deployed the use of electronic invoice software to connect to the tax agency system.
Every transaction is entered into the software, when customers have a request, the retail invoice is printed directly from the device. In case the customer does not request, we do not print it out but the data is still fully recorded and automatically connected to the tax authority's management software through the interconnected system," Ms. Huyen shared.
According to Ms. Huyen, the software that the pharmacy is using has been integrated to connect with the tax system and national data portal, ensuring that all transactions are updated promptly and accurately.
However, she also admitted that to effectively implement, the unit had to invest in specialized human resources, because the process of sending initial electronic invoices when not familiar was quite complicated, including many steps of authentication and connection. For small pharmacies, this can be a big challenge if they do not have the right technical support.
Similarly, at a shoe store on Yen Hoa Street (Cau Giay District, Hanoi), Ms. Le Mai - store manager - said that the unit has proactively used electronic invoice software generated from cash registers, with data connection to the tax authority system since June 2025. After being guided by tax officials and software suppliers, the store put the system into stable operation.
According to Ms. Mai, at first, the store hired an accounting unit to support the software configuration and set up an operating process. However, after getting used to it, the cashier can completely take the steps to prepare and send the invoices themselves.
Need to support "handsharing" traditional business households
In addition to large-scale businesses that have proactively implemented, there are still many small households that are confused by technology.
Recorded at a grocery store on Lac Long Quan Street (Tay Ho, Hanoi), Ms. Hang - the store owner shared that the tax officer had informed her about the implementation of electronic invoices, but until now, she has not been instructed on how to use a money computer or register for software.
They say it will be popular in late June or early July. Now I just have to wait, said Ms. Hang.
Similarly, Mr. Minh - the owner of a household appliance store in Cau Giay district said that he had only received information from the press and a preliminary notice from the tax officer.
From the perspective of consulting and practical implementation, Ms. Le Yen - CEO of Hanoi Tax Consulting Company Limited (Hanoitax) - said that the group of traditional business households is the largest force, but is the weakest link.
They account for a large proportion of the adjustment but are the group with the lowest level of readiness. He knows how to operate by hand, has never used a printer or software, and has no one to guide him to the spot, so he can easily fall into a state of confusion and confusion, said Ms. Yen.
Therefore, according to the CEO of Hanoitax, for traditional business households, in the initial stage, it is necessary to focus on helping with hand-held instructions. The model of "tax agents according to clusters of professions" can be piloted, in which each agent is in charge of a group of business households in residential areas, taking on the role of consulting, technical support and policy communication. At the same time, the tax industry needs to establish a hotline and a consulting group to immediately handle arising situations.
"It is impossible to apply the business model to business households. We need a flexible roadmap and flexible mechanism, but still maintain the goal of transparency and fairness in the long term, Ms. Yen recommended.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Nguyen Quang Huy - CEO of the Faculty of Finance - Banking, Nguyen Trai University analyzed: "Many traders have not yet adapted to digital thinking. They are afraid of complicated software, high costs, and are especially worried about having to be transparent in revenue leading to tax increases.
The tax industry needs to implement a long-term strategy, while placing small businesses at the center of the transformation process.
Mr. Huy proposed three groups of solutions: First, the electronic invoice system must be friendly, simple, low cost, associated with on-site support and clear communication - not to "catch the error", but a tool to protect sellers. Second, it is necessary to closely connect data between banks, e-wallets, digital platforms and tax authorities, apply artificial intelligence and big data analysis to detect abnormalities without widespread inspection. Third, instead of just sanctions, the State needs to create motivation: any household that declares honestly, connects invoices can receive tax incentives, capital support and digital transformation in the first 1-2 years.
Deputy Director of the Tax Department Mai Son said that the tax sector will closely coordinate with software providers, sending staff to directly support at the facility, even outside of working hours. June 2025 is identified as the "peak month of companionship", with many dialogues and answers right in the locality.
To reduce the burden on business households, the Tax Department has requested software providers to design easy-to-use solutions at reasonable costs, and at the same time deploy free support packages for small and micro households. However, propaganda work continues to be strengthened, especially at traditional markets.
Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu - lecturer at Hanoi University of Business and Technology, former Editor-in-Chief of Tax Magazine - said that using electronic invoices from cash registers for business households with a revenue of VND1 billion/year is not a major obstacle.
"These households are not really much different from businesses. They have been accustomed to paying taxes according to the declaration method for many years, regularly using information technology in business operations and having financial capacity to invest in equipment. Therefore, switching to electronic invoices does not cause much disruption, said Mr. Tu.
According to Mr. Tu, the biggest challenge is not the group of households with medium and large scale, but the next step: Transfer all of more than 5 million business households to the self-declaration and self-payment mechanism in 2025.
The expansion of electronic invoices is an inevitable requirement to promote financial transparency and build a digital economy. However, Dr. Tu noted that the implementation must be implemented drastically but at the same time, it is also necessary to be flexible and close to reality.
If the data gap from the business household area cannot be closed, the tax management system, budget expenditure, and even macroeconomic statistics will be affected. In addition to being determined, we must also truly accompany the business people, Mr. Tu emphasized. Ha VY
